Row over drugs led to Kottayam youth's murder, ex-councillor's son a repeat narcotics offender

Kottayam: A long-running dispute linked to drug sales ended in the murder of a 23-year-old youth in Kottayam’s Manganam in the early hours of Monday. Adarsh Soman, 23, was stabbed to death outside the house of Abhijith (Vava), 24, around 1.30 am. Both were repeat offenders in narcotics cases and known to the police for their involvement in the supply of chemical drugs and cannabis across the town.

Police said the murder stemmed from a financial dispute over drug sales. Abhijith claimed that Adarsh owed him ₹1,500 for a chemical drug purchase. A friend of Abhijith had also pawned a bike to Adarsh for ₹12,000, and when the bike was demanded back, Adarsh allegedly asked for an additional ₹2,000. Following this, Abhijith quarrelled with him at Adarsh’s house. The duo also exchanged threats late into the night.

Around 1.15 am, Adarsh arrived at Abhijith’s house with  Robin George, who was previously on the KAAPA list. A violent confrontation followed, during which Abhijith allegedly stabbed Adarsh in the neck and chest.

Hearing the commotion, Abhijith’s parents, Anil Kumar and Lalitha, rushed out and tried to separate the two, but failed. Severely wounded, Adarsh staggered towards the road and collapsed in a marshy area nearby. He was rushed first to a private hospital and then to the medical college in Robin’s car, but could not be saved. Adarsh will be cremated at noon on Tuesday at his residence. He is survived by his father Soman and mother Sujatha.

‘Rider’ supplying cannabis
Meanwhile, police said Abhijith, who has been arrested for the murder, was known among drug suppliers in Kottayam as a “rider” who transported cannabis on motorcycles, including consignments brought from Himachal Pradesh. He was first arrested at 21 with 6.5 kg of cannabis and MDMA in his possession. After securing bail, he was again held in multiple narcotics cases. He also faces a theft case involving a gold chain.

Robin, who accompanied Adarsh to Abhijith's house, has been detained for questioning. He had previously been booked for releasing dogs at officers during a search, when police seized 17.8 kg of cannabis from his house.

CCTV saves ex-councillor
Abhijith’s father and former Kottayam municipal councillor and Congress leader V K Anil Kumar was briefly taken into custody after police found him covered in blood on their arrival. However, CCTV footage later confirmed that both Anil Kumar and his wife Lalitha were trying to separate the men and prevent the attack. It was Anil Kumar who lifted the injured Adarsh from the swampy area and helped move him into the car to take him to the hospital. Police subsequently released him.